Fittings for a box spring

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to fittings and an interior conduit to providing a continuous air flow path from a vertical wall of the box spring to a horizontal surface of the box spring to selectively supply to an inflatable volume integrated into a top surface of the box spring. Fittings are provided on a vertical wall for connection to an external source of air. Another set of fittings are provided on a top surface of the box spring for connection to an inflatable bladder, A conduit inside the box spring is connected to an interior nozzle on each of the fittings to provide a continuous flow path from the fittings on the vertical to the fittings on the horizontal surface. The side wall fittings allow an external source of air to be supported or alternatively provide a stable connection for a conduit. With such a configuration, a mattress being supported by a box spring can be maneuvered under the influence of the inflatable bladder without affecting the external source of air.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/065,937, filed on Oct. 20, 2014 and U.S.Patent Application No. 62/072,138, filed on Oct. 29, 2014, herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a box spring for supporting a mattressand more particularly to fittings for enabling a box spring toaccommodate an inflatable air bladder.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Various systems are known for utilizing an inflatable air volumedisposed between mattress and a box spring or platform for facilitatingmaneuvering of the mattress relative to the box spring. An example ofsuch a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,006,331. Variousembodiments are disclosed in the '331 patent. In one embodiment theinflatable air volume is incorporated into a cover which is attached toan underside of the mattress and inflated in order to facilitatemaneuvering of the mattress. In yet another embodiment, the inflatablevolume is integrated into an encasement which encases the mattress. Inthat embodiment, the inflatable air volume is disposed on the undersideof the mattress as well. Finally, in a third embodiment, the inflatableair volume is integrated into an underside of a mattress In all threeembodiments, a conduit is attached to the inflatable air volume on oneend and an air supply is connected to the opposing end of the conduit.In such configurations, since the air supply and the conduit are allconnected to the mattress, any maneuvering of the mattress, for example,rotation, will cause the air supply and the conduit to be maneuvered aswell.

As such, it would be useful to build the conduits for the air supplydirectly into the foundation. Unfortunately, the current configurationof a box spring does not provide a rigid vertical surface that canprovide a stable connection for an air supply conduit. In particular,the current configuration of a box spring is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and1B. As shown, the box spring, generally identified with the referencenumeral 20, includes a wood frame, generally identified with thereference numeral 22. The box spring 20 also includes a plurality ofwire frames, generally identified with the reference numeral 24. Thewire frames 24 are stapled to cross members 26 of the wood frame 22 andconnected together by a plurality of traverse rods 28 that extend thewidth of the box spring 20. The assembled box spring is covered with acover 30 which is stapled on the ends to the underside of the crossmembers 26. The vertical walls of the box spring 20 are formed by thecover 30. The cover 30 may be formed from a cover material and aninsulating material. The cover 30 includes a top panel and the verticalwalls. As such the vertical walls of the box spring 20 are soft surfacesand are incapable of providing a stable surface for connection to aconduit or for supporting an external source of air.

Thus, there is a need for providing a stable surface on the verticalwalls of the box spring 20 to provide a stable surface for connecting aconduit so that an inflatable bladder can be incorporated into the boxspring 20 to provide a configuration in which the mattress (not shown)can be maneuvered with respect to the box spring 20 without affectingthe conduit and air supply.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fittings and an interior conduit toprovide a continuous air flow path from a vertical wall of the boxspring to a horizontal surface of the box spring to selectively supplyair to an inflatable volume integrated into a top surface of the boxspring. Fittings are provided on a vertical wall for connection to anexternal source of air. Another set of fittings are provided on a topsurface of the box spring for connection to an inflatable bladder. Aconduit inside the box spring is connected to an interior nozzle on eachof the fittings to provide a continuous air flow path from the fittingson the vertical to the fittings on the horizontal surface and into aninflatable air volume. The side wall fittings allow an external sourceof air to be supported or alternatively provide a stable connection fora conduit. With such a configuration, a mattress being supported by abox spring can be maneuvered under the influence of the inflatablebladder without affecting the external source of air.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

These and other advantages of the present invention will be readilyunderstood with reference to the following specification and attacheddrawing wherein:

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of a conventional box spring shown with thecover partially removed.

FIG. 1B is an isometric view of a bottom view of a conventional boxspring.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view, partially in section, of one embodiment ofthe invention illustrating the fittings and the interior conduit as itwould be mounted into a box spring.

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but at an angle which illustrates a verticalstiffener plate which forms a part of one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 4 is an isometric view shown in section of the fittings and thestiffener plate connected to a vertical wall of a box spring, also shownwith an interior conduit connected to an interior portion of the fittingand an external conduit connected to an external portion of the fitting.

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 but illustrates the fittings, stiffenerplate, and the internal and external conduits in section.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the fittings connected to a top surfaceof the box spring and into the inflatable volume, shown in section, witha portion of an internal conduit connected to an interior portion of thefitting.

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 but illustrating an alternate embodiment ofthe nozzle attached to the top surface of the box spring and into theinflatable volume.

FIG. 8 illustrates various exemplary views of a vertical side wallnozzle which used on the vertical wall of the box spring.

FIG. 9 illustrates various exemplary views of a nut used to secure thevertical side wall nozzle to a vertical wall of the box spring.

FIG. 10 illustrates various exemplary views of a stiffener plate used tostiffen the vertical side wall of a box spring.

FIG. 11 illustrates various exemplary views of an alternative embodimentof a compression nut used to secure a vertical nozzle to a top surfaceof the box spring.

FIG. 12 illustrates various exemplary views of a nozzle which is one ofthe fittings connected to the top surface of the box spring.

FIG. 13 illustrates an alternate method of machining the stiffener plateillustrated in FIG. 10.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate another alternate embodiment of the nozzleillustrated in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 16-28 illustrate a yet another alternate embodiment of theinvention in which the parts are ratcheted together.

FIGS. 29 and 30 illustrate another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 31 illustrates another alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 32-44 illustrate a three piece embodiment of the invention

FIGS. 45-49 illustrate another alternate embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to fittings and an interior conduit toprovide a continuous air flow path from an external source of air to aninflatable volume integrated into a top surface of the box spring.Fittings are provided on a vertical wall for connection to the externalsource of air, Another set of fittings are provided on a top surface ofthe box spring for connection to an inflatable bladder. A conduit insidethe box spring is connected to an interior nozzle on each of thefittings to provide a continuous air flow path from the fittings on thevertical wall to the fittings on the horizontal surface and into aninflatable air volume. The side wall fittings allow an external conduitand/or air pump (“external source of air”) to be supported oralternatively provide a stable connection therefor. With such aconfiguration, a mattress being supported by a box spring can bemaneuvered under the influence of the inflatable bladder withoutaffecting the external source of air.

Various exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated. FIGS.2-12 illustrate one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 13 illustrates analternate embodiment of a stiffener plate that forms part of theinvention FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate another alternate embodiment of theinvention. FIGS. 16-28 illustrate a yet another alternate embodiment ofthe invention. FIGS. 29 and 30 illustrate another alternate embodimentof the invention of a side wall fitting that forms part of theinvention. FIG. 31 illustrates another alternate embodiment of theinvention. FIGS. 32-44 illustrate another alternate embodiment of theinvention. FIGS. 45-49 illustrate yet another embodiment of theinvention.

Referring to FIGS. 2-12, one embodiment of the invention is illustrated.As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, vertical wall fittings are provided forconnecting an external source of air to a vertical wall of a box spring.Top surface fittings are provided for connecting a top surface of thebox spring to an inflatable volume (not shown). FIGS. 4, 5 and 8-10illustrate the vertical wall fittings while FIGS. 6, 7, 11, and 12illustrate the top surface fittings.

Referring first to FIGS. 2 and 3, vertical side wall fittings and topfittings are connected to the box spring 20 (FIG. 1A) with an internalconduit connected therebetween to provide a continuous air path betweenthe vertical wall fittings and the top surface fittings and an externalsource of air (not shown). More particularly, the vertical side wallfittings, generally identified with the reference numeral 34, and thetop surface fittings, generally identified with the reference numeral32, are used to connect a conduit 36 from a vertical sidewall 38 of abox spring 20 to a bottom layer 40 of an inflatable volume on top of thebox spring 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the top fittings 32 arepartially disposed within an inflatable volume, partially shown insection and identified with the reference numeral 42. An exemplaryinflatable volume is described in detail in Scarleski U.S. Pat. No.8,006,331, hereby incorporated by reference.

An external conduit 44 may be connected on one end to an external sideof the vertical sidewall fitting 34 and on an opposing end to anexternal source of air (not shown). The external conduit 44 may be usedto provide an air flow path from the external source of air (not shown)to the fittings 32 and 34 and ultimately into the inflatable volume 42.Alternatively, an external air pump (not shown) may be connecteddirectly to the vertical sidewall fitting 34. Both configurations allowthe inflatable volume 42 to be selectively inflated, as set forth in the'331 patent, in order to rotate or otherwise maneuver or levitate amattress (not shown) relative to the inflatable volume on the surface ofthe foundation, box spring or platform.

Turning to FIG. 10, the vertical sidewall fittings 34 include astiffener plate 46. The vertical walls 38 of the box spring 20 are softand made of fabric and insulation and thus are not suitable forproviding a stable connection to an external conduit 44 (FIG. 2) or forsupporting an external air pump (not shown). An exemplary configurationfor attaching the stiffener plate 46 to the vertical side wall 38 (FIG.3) is shown in FIG. 10. As shown, the stiffener plate 46 includes one ormore curled tabs 48 on one end 50. The opposing end 52 is flat and mayhave a reduced thickness. The curled tabs 48 are used to capture atraverse rod 28 (FIG. 1A) of the box spring 20 to secure one end 50(FIG. 10) of the stiffener plate 46 (FIG. 10). The opposing end 52 ofthe stiffener plate 46 is attached to the wood frame 22 (FIGS. 1A-3) ofthe box spring 20, for example, by way of one or more fasteners (notshown), such as staples.

The stiffener plate 46 as welt as the balance of the fittings describedherein may be formed from a rigid plastic material. The stiffener plate46 may be formed with an aperture 54 (FIG. 10). The aperture 54 isformed to receive a vertical wall nozzle 56, as shown best in FIG. 8.The nozzle 56 includes a flange portion 58 that is configured to bereceived in the aperture 54 in the stiffener plate 46 (FIG. 10). Anannular wall 60 spaced away from the aperture 54 and forms an annularstop 61 for capturing the flange portion 58 (FIG. 8) of the nozzle 56.

In order to prevent the nozzle 56 from rotating, the stiffener plate 46(FIG. 10) is provided with one or more radial inward tabs 47 extendingfrom the annular wall 60. These radial tabs 47 extend in a radialdirection from the annular wall 60 to the aperture 54. These radial tabs48 are received in notches 68 (FIG. 8) formed in a flange portion 58 ofthe vertical wall nozzle 56. This configuration prevents axial rotationof the vertical wall nozzle 56 within the aperture 54 (FIG. 10) in thestiffener plate 46.

The side wall fittings 34 (FIG. 3) also include a side wall nozzle 56(FIG. 8), which includes an internal nozzle portion 62 and an externalnozzle portion 64. The external nozzle portion 64 extends outwardly fromthe flange portion 58, as shown in FIG. 8. The internal portion 62 mayinclude one or more bayonet pins 66 for connection to a conduit 36 (FIG.2). As best shown in FIG. 3, these bayonet pins 66 on the nozzle 56(FIG. 8) cooperate with axially aligned slots “L” shaped slots 70 (FIG.3) on the internal conduit 36. The internal and external portions 64(FIG. 8) and 62 of the nozzle 56 may have different diameters.

The external portion of the vertical wall nozzle 56 includes two or morearcuately spaced apart sidewalls, generally identified with thereference numeral 72 (FIG. 8). These sidewalls portions 72 are threadedand are spaced away from the outside diameter of the external nozzleportion 64, forming an annular gap 76 for receiving an external conduit44, as best shown in FIG. 5. The threaded portions 72 on the nozzle 56are for receiving another component of the sidewall fittings 34 (FIG.3), namely, a threaded compression ring 74 (FIG. 9) for securing thenozzle 56 (FIG. 8) to the stiffener plate 46 (FIG. 10). As best shown inFIG. 5, the axial thickness of the compression ring 74 may be optionallyless than the axial length of the external nozzle portion 64.

As shown in FIG. 4, the external nozzle portion 64 of the nozzle 56 maybe formed with one or more bayonet pins 66 These bayonet pins 66cooperate with bayonet slots (not shown) formed on a free end of theexternal conduit 44. As shown best in FIG. 4, the external conduit 44 issecured to the external nozzle portion 64 by way of the bayonetconnection described above.

Once the stabilizer plate 46 is secured to the box spring 20, asdiscussed above, the flange portion 58 of the vertical sidewall nozzle56 is inserted in the aperture 54 in the stiffener plate 46 and rotateduntil the radial tabs 47 in the stiffener plate 46 are received in thenotches 68 (FIG. 8) on the flange 58. The compression ring 74 (FIG. 9)is then tightened around the threaded portion 72 (FIG. 8) of theexternal nozzle portion 64, thereby securing the vertical fitting 56(FIG. 8) to the stiffener plate 50 (FIG. 10), as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIGS. 6, 7, 11 and 12 illustrate the top fittings 32 (FIG. 3) connectedto a bottom layer 40 of the inflatable volume. The top fittings 32 (FIG.3) include a nozzle 80 (FIG. 12), an external compression ring 83 (FIG.6) and an optional internal compression ring 83. The nozzle 80 (FIG. 12)includes a flange portion 82 and an internal nozzle portion 85 and anexternal nozzle portion 86. As shown, the flange portions 82 aredisposed on top of a layer 41 of the foundation and under a bottom layer40 of the inflatable volume 42. These nozzle portions 85 and 86 are forreceiving the internal compression ring 85 (FIG. 6) and externalcompression ring 83, respectively. These compression rings 83 and 87compress a bottom layer 40 of the inflatable volume 42 and top of alayer 41 of the foundation with respect to the flange portion 82.

A free end of the internal nozzle portion 84 (FIG. 12) may include oneor more bayonet pins 90. These bayonet pins 90 cooperate with a bayonetslot 92 (FIG. 3) on the end of the internal conduit 36.

The external compression ring 83 (FIG. 3) compresses a bottom layer 40of the inflatable volume 42 and any box spring padding 41 against theflange portion 82 of the nozzle 80. An optional internal compressionring 84, which may be similar to the compression ring 83, compresses thebox spring padding 41 which forms part of a top surface of the boxspring 20 against the underside of the flange portion 82.

Referring to FIG. 11, the external compression ring 83 may be providedwith a plurality of radial notches 90. These notches 90 cooperate withone or more radially aligned notches 92 (FIG. 12) are formed on a freeend of the external nozzle portion 86. These notches 90 and 92 allow airinto the inflatable volume 42 initially when the weight of the mattress(not shown) pushes down on the top surface of the external nozzleportion 86. As best shown in FIG. 7, the notches 90 on the compressionring 83 are slightly higher than the notches 92 on the nozzle portion 86(FIG. 12). This configuration allows air to escape into the inflatablevolume 42 when an external air pump (not shown) is first turned on whenthe mattress is sitting on top of the compression ring 83 and initiallyblocking normal air flow from the nozzle 86.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the compression ring 83and is generally identified with the reference numeral 83′. Thealternate compression ring 83′ is virtually the same as the compressionring 83 but further includes notches 91 on the bottom of the compressionring. These notches 91 (FIG. 11) allow air received by way of thenotches 92 (FIG. 12) in the nozzle 80 and the vertical gap 93 to escapethrough the bottom of the external compression ring 83 (FIG. 11), whenthe mattress (not shown) is sitting on top of the upper layer 41 of theinflatable volume 42 which, in turn, will press down onto the top of thecompression ring 83.

An alternate embodiment of the nozzle 80 is illustrated in FIG. 7 and isidentified with the reference numeral 80′. This nozzle 80′ is similar tothe nozzle 80 (FIG. 12) but also includes an annular chamber 98. Theannular chamber 98 expands the diameter of the nozzle portion 85 (FIG.12) to the diameter of the compression ring 74 (FIG. 9) to reduce thenumber of parts.

In order to assemble the fittings 32 and 34 (FIG. 3) to a box spring 20,as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vertical side wall fittings 34(FIG. 3) may be first assembled to a sidewall of the box spring 20.Specifically, the curled tabs 48 (FIG. 10) on the stiffener plate 52 arehooked to a traverse rod 28 (FIG. 3) to secure one end 50 (FIG. 10) ofthe stiffener plate 46 to the box spring 20. The opposing end 52 of thestiffener plate 46 is attached to the wood frame 22 (FIG. 1A), forexample, by way of one or fasteners, such as staples.

The vertical wall nozzle 56 (FIG. 8) is disposed within the aperture 54(FIG. 10) in the stiffener plate 46 and captured within the annular wall60 (FIG. 4). The nozzle 56 is disposed within the aperture 54 so thatthe threaded sidewall portions 72 (FIG. 4) extend outwardly and theradial tabs 47 (FIG. 10) on the stiffener plate 46 are received in thenotches 68 (FIG. 8) formed in a flange portion 58 of the vertical wallnozzle 56. The threaded ring 74 (FIG. 9) is then screwed onto threadedsidewall portions 72 (FIG. 8) to secure the nozzle vertical side wallnozzle 56 to the stiffener plate 46 (FIG. 10).

The top fittings 32 (FIG. 2) include a nozzle 80 (FIG. 12), an internalcompression ring 84 (FIG. 2) and an internal compression ring 83. Theflange portion 82 (FIG. 12) of the nozzle 80 is disposed under thebottom layer 40 (FIG. 2) of the inflatable volume while its externalnozzle portion 86 extends into the inflatable volume 42, formed by thebottom layer 40 an additional layer 43 forming the inflatable volume 42.An internal compression ring 84 is threaded onto the internal nozzleportion 85 of the nozzle 80. Similarly, the external compression ring 83is threaded onto the external nozzle portion 86. The internalcompression ring 84 and the external compression ring 83 compress thebottom layer 40 of the inflatable volume and any box spring padding 41relative to the flange portion 82 of the nozzle 80.

The conduit 36 is attached to the upper nozzle 80 and the vertical wallnozzle 56. More particularly, one end of the conduit 36 is connected tothe vertical wall nozzle portion 62 (FIG. 2) so that the bayonet pins 66are received in the “L” shaped slots 70 (FIG. 3). The conduit 36 is thenrotated until the bayonet pins 66 are in a locked position with respectto the slots 70.

Next, the other end of the conduit 36 is connected to the internalnozzle portion 85 (FIG. 2) of the nozzle 80. In order to line up thebayonet pins 90 (FIG. 12) on the nozzle 80 with the slots 92 (FIG. 3) onthe end of the conduit 36, the nozzle 80 is rotated so that the bayonetpins 90 (FIG. 12) are received in the slots 92 (FIG. 3) and rotated to alocked position.

FIGS. 29 and 30 illustrate another embodiment of the invention. In thisembodiment, the interior nozzle portion 85″ of the top nozzle 80″ isformed with an increased diameter portion 140. This allows a compressionring 74 (FIG. 9) to be used for the top nozzle 80″ in order to eliminatea second compression ring 84 (FIG. 2)

Referring to FIG. 13, an alternate embodiment of the stiffener plate 46illustrated in FIG. 10, involves machining the stiffener plate 46″. Thestiffener plate 46′ includes a through hole 54′ and an annular wall 60′.One or more radial tabs 47′ are formed between a pair of outwardlyextending knobs 100. In this embodiment, the stiffener plate 46′ is onlyfastened to the box spring 20 on one end 101, for example by staples.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the side wallnozzle fittings illustrated in FIG. 8. The only difference between theseembodiments relates to the external nozzle portion 64 of vertical wallnozzle 56. In particular, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the externalnozzle portion 64 of the nozzle 56 is formed with an external malecoupling, namely bayonet pins 78. In the alternate embodimentillustrated best in FIG. 16, an external nozzle portion 64′ of avertical wall nozzle 56′ is formed with a female connection, namelybayonet slots 103.

FIGS. 16-28 illustrate another alternate embodiment of the fittingsillustrated in FIGS. 2-12. This embodiment includes a vertical wallfittings 105 (FIG. 23) which include a vertical wall support plate 104(FIG. 25), a side support cover plate 106 (FIG. 24) and top fittings 107(FIG. 20) which include a top cover plate 108 (FIG. 27) and a top port110 (FIG. 28). These components are configured to ratcheted together anddo not require compression rings.

Referring first to the vertical wall fittings 105. FIGS. 21 and 23illustrate a vertical wall stiffener plate 104. The vertical sidewallstiffener plate 104 includes an inner nozzle portion 112 (FIG. 21) andan external nozzle portion 114. The vertical wall stiffener plate 104includes one or more curled tabs 117 (FIG. 25) for hooking one end ofthe stiffener plate 104 onto a traverse rod 28 (FIG. 1A) in the boxspring 20, as shown in FIG. 18. The other end of the stiffener plate 104(FIG. 25) may be formed with a reduced thickness and can be stapled tocross members 26 (FIG. 1A) of the wood frame 22. The stiffener plate 104also includes four through holes 116 (FIG. 25) that may be symmetricallylocated relative to the nozzles 112 and 114. A ratchet 118 (FIG. 24) isdisposed adjacent each through hole 116.

The side support plate 106 (FIG. 24) is formed with a circular flangeportion 107 and inwardly directed toothed studs 120 that are alignedwith the through holes 116 (FIG. 25) in the stiffener plate 104. Thetoothed studs 120 are inserted into the through holes 116 in thestiffener plate 104, as best shown in FIG. 19. The toothed studs 120(FIG. 24) cooperate with the ratchet 118 (FIG. 19) to allow thecomponents to be ratcheted together.

As best shown in FIG. 21, the stiffener plate 104 includes an internalnozzle portion 112 and an external nozzle portion 114. The externalnozzle portion 114 is formed with a smaller diameter than a through hole109 (FIG. 24) in a side support plate 106 thus forming an annular gap111 (FIG. 26) therebetween for receiving a nozzle of an external airsource (not shown).

The top fittings 107 (FIG. 20) include a top port 110 (FIG. 28) and atop port cover 108 (FIG. 27). The top port 110 includes a circularflange portion 130; an inwardly directed nozzle portion 132 and aplurality inwardly directed toothed studs 134. One or more bayonet pins136 may be provided on the nozzle portion 132 for connection to anexternal conduit discussed above. In this embodiment, the top port cover110 is disposed on top of a top cover 141 (FIG. 16) of the foundation.

The top cover plate 108 is formed with a circular flange portion 140 anda through hole 142 for receiving the nozzle portion 132 (FIG. 28) of thetop port 110. In this embodiment, the top cover 108 is disposed underthe top cover 141 (FIG. 20) of the foundation 20 (FIG. 1A). The topcover 108 includes a plurality of through holes 144 configured to bealigned with the extending toothed studs 134 (FIG. 28) on the top port110 to enable the parts to be ratcheted together.

FIG. 31 illustrates another embodiment of the invention. This embodimentincludes a top port 150 having a head portion 152 and a nozzle portion154. The nozzle portion 152 is threaded and may include one or morebayonet pins 156. The top port 150 includes a hollow 158 head portion.The head portion 158 includes one or more air escape holes 160 that arein fluid communication with the hollow nozzle portion 154. The top port150 is mounted on top of a bottom layer of an inflatable volume, asdiscussed above.

FIGS. 32-44 illustrate another embodiment of the invention that includesthree components that are snapped together. These components consist ofa stiffener plate 160 (FIG. 40). A combination top port and conduit 162(FIG. 41) and a vertical wall port 164 (FIG. 39).

The combination top port and conduit 162 includes a top port portion165, a conduit 166 with a 90° elbow and a flange 168. A through hole 176is provided in order to lock the side wall port 164 (FIG. 39) in place.

The stiffener plate 160 (FIG. 40) includes a through hole, for example asquare through hole, for receiving a nozzle portion 180 (FIG. 39) of thevertical wall port 164. An annular wall 182 is formed around the throughhole 176. The stiffener plate 160 includes hooked tabs and is secured toa box spring as discussed above.

The combination top port and conduit 162 is fed into an aligned hole ina bottom layer 186 (FIG. 32) of an inflatable volume, as discussedabove, and a top surface 118 of a foundation so that the top nozzle ison top of the bottom layer 40 of the inflatable volume. The flangeportion 164 is disposed inside the annular wall 182 (FIG. 44) in thestiffener plate 160. The flange portion 164 is formed with a number ofribs 165 which allow air to escape into the inflatable volume even whenthe mattress (not shown) is resting on it.

The vertical wall port 164 is inserted in the through hole 182 (FIG. 40)of the stiffener plate 160. A button 188 (FIG. 39) formed on an internalnozzle 191 is received in the aperture 170 in the conduit portion 166 tosecure all of the components together and may be attached to an elbowportion 202 by gluing.

FIGS. 45-49 illustrate another embodiment of the invention. Thisembodiment is formed from four components and is very similar to theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 32-44. The major difference is that thetop port 200 is formed as a separate component.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is to beunderstood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described above.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by a Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

I claim:
 1. An improvement of a box spring comprising: a stiffener platerigidly connected to a frame of a box spring parallel with a verticalside wall of the box spring a vertical wall fitting carried by saidstiffener plate; a top surface fitting attached to a top of said boxspring; wherein each of said fittings include a nozzle; and a conduitconnected between said nozzles